We’re also asking sick employees to stay home and to report all illnesses, even those thought to be the common cold, to a manager or administrator.

MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL

The obstetrics department plans to limit visitors to the OB areas inside MGH.

We have signage posted widely throughout the hospital that discourages visitors from visiting if they have a cough or fever and if they do visit they are asked to wear a mask and perform hand hygiene.

The mask policy is still in place for non-vaccinated staff ONLY- they must wear a mask when providing care to any patient to protect the patient from a healthcare worker in case they are incubating flu.

All staff (vaccinated or not) should be wearing a mask when caring for patients with Flu or suspect Flu.

UMASS MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER

With the number of and severity of reported flu cases across the country, the state and the region, UMass Memorial Medical Center is changing some of our visitation policies to decrease the potential exposure to staff, patients and visitors. This is a practice we have used many times in the past when cases of flu have surged in the region.

To protect our patient population from acquiring the flu while they are in the hospital, a “flu season” visitation policy has been implemented at the University and Memorial Campuses. Except under extraordinary circumstances, visitors are being limited to immediate family, only two per patient, those who are 14 and older, to those WITHOUT fever, cough or respiratory symptoms and those visitors who have had no contact with someone with flu-like illness in the last 2 days.

SOUTHCOAST HEALTH SYSTEM

Southcoast is also asking visitors to refrain from visiting the hospital if they are sick. If you must come to the hospital while you are sick, you will be asked to wear a mask, which will be provided at no charge at each of the main entrances and Emergency Department entrances.

NEW ENGLAND BAPTIST

Mandatory masks for employees that have not had the flu shot

We have signage located at hospital entrances and entrance to every patient care unit that says:

No Flu Zone!

Do you have a fever with either a cough or sore throat? If so...Visitors: Please return home and contact your primary care provider.Patients: Please stop at the nearest reception desk for a protective mask and instructions.Staff: Please call Employee Health at 617-754-5820.

TUFTS MEDICAL CENTER

Ahead of the flu season Tufts Medical Center required all employees to receive a flu shot or wear a mask from Nov. 1 through March 31.

We have implemented our winter visitation policies. At Floating Hospital for Children, children under 6 cannot visit, all other visitors are screened for flu-like symptoms before they are allowed to visit. On the adult side we are also screening all visitors for the same symptoms. We are also keeping a close eye on supplies such as gloves and masks, and are carefully choosing bed assignments for those who are admitted so that patients with known or suspected flu are not exposing other patients. We are also offering the flu vaccine to patients in the hospital for any reason if they have not had the flu shot yet.